In the excerpt posted by Steven Bartlett this morning, Reshma Saujani puts it very eloquently, when she says "... it has never been about whether we are qualified, or whether we are prepared.... We've literally been fed this propaganda that we're not good enough, we're not smart enough, and that we don't belong. The real resistance, in this moment, is saying no more... I'm here and I can lead too!"
Maybe the mantra for this year's IWD should be those last words: "no more", "I'm here and I can lead too!".
Here's why:
a) A gender diverse workplace is only considered a priority in 80% of Canadian workplaces, 1 in 4 executive-level roles are held by women, less than 1 in 5 board positions are held by women, & less than 1 in 3 are in public office and political positions.
b) There is at least 6% less job security for women despite possessing the requisite qualification for employment, 5% less likely to receive support from managers or even training paid for by their employer, STILL, they are more likely to overwork (resulting in burnout), have feelings of imposter syndrome, lack mentoring opportunities, take on additional but rarely rewarded work, be questioned regarding their ability to perform in managerial roles, & give in to pressure and leave the industry. WOMEN EARN LESS THAN MEN IN 94% OF OCCUPATIONS - EVEN IN THOSE DOMINATED BY WOMEN!
c) By far the most confounding, is that THERE IS AN INCREASINGLY widening gap between women and resources. GENDER CONTINUES TO IMPACT THE LIKELIHOOD OF SEEKING AND SECURING FINANCING. Women-owned businesses are more likely than male-owned businesses to start their enterprise with significantly lower levels of financial capital. Women-owned businesses are less likely than male-owned businesses to have their bank loans approved & in the occasion that they are approved, are charged higher interest rates. In fact, being male increases the probability of being an entrepreneur while women are often drawn to entrepreneurship due to job scarcity. Over 83% of women-owned businesses use personal sources of financing to start their businesses. "Every year that this disparity continues in Canada, where women-owned businesses are underrepresented in the funding pool, the Canadian economy loses out on $100billion”.
WOMEN CONTINUE TO GET A RAW DEAL!
While there are not enough organizations working to change this reality, there is definitely progress. Yesterday, WTAL Canada announced its 2-year collaboration with SAI to ensure that women have access to FREE credentials/courses from their Continuing Education & Professional Studies departments to upskill, reskill, or embark on a new career journey. With this opportunity, the financial burden is alleviated & the expertise to advance is obtained.
The quest for gender parity is not a 1-day affair. Every day, women advancement should be championed.
Be a champion. #iwd2024
Stats: Statistics Canada
Lora, Sara, Christa, Bukky, Dana-Marie, Margo, D'Andre, Wunmi, Patrick.
🔊 🔊 🔊
We are so excited to announce our 2-year collaboration with the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT).
As part of WTALs 'The PAGE Project' initiative, we have partnered with SAIT to further deliver on our commitment towards women advancement, empowerment and representation. Although an Alberta-wide initiative, we are pleased to kick off this initiative in Calgary and continue the work towards ensuring that women across the province are supported in their aspiration for professional development and career growth/success.
In SAITs third year since launching its Equity, Diversity and Inclusion strategy, the institution is making huge strides in championing equity-advancing solutions. We are excited to be part of SAITs robust strategy towards ensuring that no group (for whatever reason, in this case, women), is left out in its goal to foster a global campus. We are so proud to be one of the channels through which SAIT can amplify its efforts.
Our gratitude is to SAIT and The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund for this life-changing opportunity for women in the city.
See details below. Send enquiries to us at page@wtal.ca
#women #womenempowerment
Dr. Chika Daniels, MRAIC, NOMA, RIBA., Christa Hill, Bukky Wonda, Dana-Marie Ramjit, Josephine Pon, MSc., ECA, Philomina Okeke-Ihejirika, Lora Bucsis, Sara Struthers, Margo Purcell, Shauna Zenteno, Alyse Pearce, Brenda Beckedorf, Patrick Etokudo, M.Sc., FSCMP, WaLe Balogun, BSc, GDBA, MBA, C.Dir., Janet Segato, D'Andre Wilson-Ihejirika, P.Eng, PMP, LSSBB, Angelo Nwigwe, Nketti Johnston-Taylor, Phd (nee Mason), Rekha Gadhia, Adediwura (Wura) Odiase, MBA, MSc., CPHR, Moji Taiwo, Sarah J. Rimbey, YINKA OLADELE, Marvit Ahanonu PMP. , mRAIC, mAAA, Won Sun Mbengeni, Faith Oluwatomi Oyende, Gelila Mast, Gina Grandy, Anila Umar, Julia Sutherland, Tracy-Lynne MacLellan, Alka Merlin, Malinda S. Smith, PhD, LLD (Hon), Amber Hall, Dahlia Orcajada, Celestina Akinkunmi, Amber Griffith.
Cross-border legal strategist empowering responsible businesses to grow globally
4moGreat achievement LuxDev and Cenpromype. Congrats!